Hand operated erosion blanket installation tool

ABSTRACT

A manual tool for installation of erosion blankets useable by two persons, each holding a handle while pulling the device over a surface to unwind an erosion blanket. The erosion blanket is supported by a set of prong end shafts that are inserted into each end of the erosion blanket. These prongs are embedded inside bearings which allow the prongs to rotate with the blanket as it is rolled across a surface. Also located on the prongs are blanket guides that aid in steering and keep the blanket from binding where the prongs meet with the support arms. The telescoping tubes that contain the telescope lock give support to the blanket end prongs and keep the blanket from sliding off the prongs while unrolling to the end.

BACKGROUND Field of Invention

This invention relates to the erosion control field, specifically to the installation of erosion control blankets which are laid over loose soil to aid in vegetation establishment.

Erosion blankets are utilized to keep the soil and seed from eroding away during rainfall events. In addition to preventing erosion, these blankets retain significant moisture which enables the seed to germinate much more quickly than without blanket coverage. Erosion blankets are used for a variety of reasons, such as stabilizing large areas along roadsides, stabilizing areas around detention/retention ponds, establishing lawns for commercial and residential properties and restoring prairies. Erosion blankets are typically installed after a site has been fine graded and seeded. After the erosion blanket has been laid on the ground, staples must be manually driven through the blanket into the ground to keep the blanket in correct position.

Despite the increased popularity of erosion control blankets there are very few tools to aid in the installation of these soil stabilizers. Without a special tool to install these devices it comes down to manual labor to unroll the netted blankets. This process usually involves two people bending down in a crawl-like position to push out the rolled up blankets which is hard on knees, backs, and especially difficult for older people. This unsafe process over time is a liability for employers who may have increased workers compensation claims after work related injuries.

The manual operations dealing with the installation of erosion blankets significantly increase the cost of installing these soil securing devices. Therefore, there is a continuing significant need in the field of erosion prevention for improvements related to the installation of erosion blankets and for more efficient installation methods. An improved device and method achieving these goals would lead to better erosion protection, higher quality turf, cleaner bodies of water, and healthier erosion blanket installers.

Prior known implements contain a very complex and expensive means of unrolling and affixing erosion blankets to the soil surface. Some are tractor drawn implements that mechanically unroll the blankets across a surface. These attachments leave many areas where a tractor is not suited to travel blanket-less. Many slopes that need erosion protection are too steep or rough for a machine drawn attachment to traverse. Also, with a complex machine there are many pieces to break or fail especially in uneven ground or steep terrain or on loose/soft soil.

Also, on many applications there are trees, fences, signs, landscape objects, rocks, buildings, telephone poles, driveways, and other space limiting objects that make it nearly impossible for a tractor attachment to be completely successful. Again these mechanical devices are limited to the mobility of the machine leaving many areas to manual hand installation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention includes a method for placing an erosion blanket on a surface with manual tool device including supporting a roll of the erosion blanket for rotation, manually pulling the device by human power and guiding the roll such that the erosion blanket unwinds upon an intended surface path.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a device for placing an erosion blanket on a surface including a set of telescoping tubes for blanket loading and unloading. A telescope locks to retain the erosion blanket while unrolling. A set of blanket end prongs engages and supports an erosion blanket. At least one handle is included for pulling the blanket by human power such that the erosion blanket unwinds and lies along an intended path.

Several objectives and advantages are addressed by my invention, and they include 1) to install blankets on all soil surfaces, steep and non-steep by a simple and affordable means; 2) to eliminate most of the back-breaking bending over during installation by the manual hand method; 3) to provide a tool that is reliable with less parts prone to fail during an erosion blanket project; 4) to provide a tool that allows for installation in tight confined spaces and around objects in the landscape (trees, shrubs, rocks, signs, etc.); 5) to provide a tool that is affordable for all contractors to afford on the smallest of erosion blanket projects; 6) to help employers keep employees safe and healthy while completing their erosion blanket projects; 7) to provide a tool that saves time, labor, money, and human energy on all erosion blanket installation projects; 8) to provide a tool that allows for the user(s) to install blankets on rough terrain that a machine may not be able to access; and 9) to provide a method of installing an erosion blanket over a surface which minimizes the need for manual operations during installation.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the erosion blanket installation tool.

FIG. 2 shows the method of installing an erosion blanket.

FIG. 3A-3B shows views of various blanket prong support ends such as smooth prongs, threaded prongs, and different size blanket guides.

FIG. 4 shows a single person tow bar adapter for single person operation.

FIG. 5A-5C shows various locking mechanisms (pin, spring plunger, and detent button) to lock telescoping tubes and retain erosion blanket on blanket prong ends.

FIG. 6 shows a view of the bearing housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

A typical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a top view. The tool comprises of two telescoping tubes 16 and 18 that allow for blanket loading and support. These two tubes must support about 60 lbs of mass and may be made of metal or plastic. Small tube 16 comprises of a small reducing coupling 20 that is connected to one end. Affixed to the coupling is hook and loop fastener 44 for adjustable tow handle 26 storage. Also on tube 16 is a telescope lock 46 as shown in detail in FIG. 5A-5C. Threaded into the end of coupling 20 is support arm 30B consisting of a 90 degree bend and towline eyelet 24B. Support arm 30B preferred embodiment is constructed of steel to support weight of blanket 50. Threaded into the end of arm 30B is bearing housing 34B which is shown in detail in FIG. 6. Out of bearing housing 34B is blanket end prong 32B that receives the end of blanket 50 at the center point. The blanket end prong 32 is tapered on the end for piercing the blanket 50 end. Blanket 50 rests against the blanket guide 36B that is welded to prong 32B for steering during blanket 50 installations.

Large telescoping tube 18 fits snugly over tube 16. One end of tube 18 is large reducing coupling 22 that is glued inside the tube. The other end of tube 18 is lock slot 52 that receives the telescope lock 46. Threaded into coupler 22 is support arm 30A. From this point all parts are same as the other side.

FIG. 2 explains the steps to the blanket 50 installation method. Step A begins by setting the erosion blanket into place with the roll facing the correct way for installation. The next task is to insert four staples 54 to fasten the blanket 50 to the surface. This acts as a barrier for the blanket 50 to be pulled against. Step B consists of each person guiding their blanket end prong 32 into the center of the blanket 50. Each prong 32 must be inserted completely to the blanket guide 36. Once both prongs 32 are in, the two users must align the telescoping tubes 16 and 18 for the telescope lock 46 and lock slot 52 to engage. Once locked into position, Step C consists of pulling the blanket 50 by hand to its intended destination by guiding it along the surface using the adjustable tow handles 26. Once blanket 50 is rolled to the end the telescope lock 46 may be depressed and disengaged. The operators may slide the blanket end prongs 32 out from the blanket 50 and the method is repeated back at step A.

FIG. 3 shows various blanket end prong 32 and blanket guide 36 set ups. FIG. 3A describes a smooth end prong 32 with a large blanket guide 36. FIG. 3B describes a threaded end prong 32 with smaller blanket guide 36. Also shown on both FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are retainers that hold the end prong 32 and bearings 48 inside the bearing housing 34.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of a single person tow bar 28 setup. This option is important for the single user to not only pull the erosion blanket 50 across the surface but also to steer the roll 50 along its intended path. The single operator simply unclips the adjustable tow straps 26 from the towline eyelets 24 and clips tow bar 28 into place. While pulling on the bar 28 to unroll the blanket 50, the user walks backwards and steers by pulling at the correct end of the bar.

FIG. 5A is a spring plunger 56 that could be used as a type of telescope lock 46. FIG. 5B is a detent button 60 that could be used as a type of telescope lock 46. FIG. 5C is a pin 58 that could be used as a type of telescope lock 46.

FIG. 6 shows detail of bearing housing 34. On the top of bearing housing 34 is a threaded opening that receives support arm 30. The lower end is a machined shaft that receives the bearings 48. One end of the shaft is enclosed by end cap 40 attached by a weld around the outside ring. On the opposite side is end cap with hole 42 attached by a weld around the outside ring. Blanket end prong 32 enters housing 34 through end cap 42 and slides through both bearings 48 and butts with end cap 40. Blanket prong 32 is retained inside the housing by a set of retainers 38 that are attached to prong 32.

Operation of Invention

The manner of using the erosion blanket installer is very simple and fast. A blanket 50 is set on the ground at the desired starting point. The blanket 50 end is exposed and is stapled down for an anchor to pull against. The preferred embodiment operates with two people on each end of the installer. Each person holds on to their own support arm 30. The person on the large tube 18 end depresses the telescope lock 46 releasing the tubes 16 and 18 to slide freely. Each person locates the center point of erosion blanket 50 end with the blanket end prong 32 and inserts it up to the blanket guide 36. Once the telescope lock 46 is in place inside lock slot 52 the blanket is ready to be laid on the ground. Each person grabs their tow strap 26 and begins pulling the erosion blanket 50 to the desired direction. Once the blanket is unrolled to end the process is repeated.

Accordingly, the reader will see how simple to use and effective this tool is for lessening the burden of installing erosion blankets. In addition, for smaller jobs and tight areas this tool is currently the only option for aiding in blanket installation. The relative low cost to produce this productive tool makes it affordable for all in the erosion field to afford, therefore benefiting everyone in the field. Operators of this device will have less back and knee pain after blanket installations. Also, employers will have less worker compensation claims from their employees.

It makes sense to use this tool if one only has a single blanket to install due to its lack of weight and compactness. This tool fits in any car or truck and stows easily on any wall. This installer requires no fuel to operate and therefore discharges no hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.

Besides the many benefits of the machine itself, the operator also benefits from the detail of the design of the installer. Each operator can set the adjustable tow straps to their own comfortable height thereby lessening the burden of installing erosion blankets. Also the hook and loop fasteners that hold the adjustable tow straps to the support arm so that the tow straps will not tangle. The telescoping tubes allow each user to simultaneously insert the blanket prong ends into the center of the erosion blanket. The telescoping lock takes the challenge out of the keeping the prongs tightly fit into the end of the erosion blanket especially on challenging slopes. The bearings that guide the prong ends to keep the blanket from binding with the prong, this also allows for a smooth snag-free rolling motion through out the entire pull. Also to prevent binding at the bearing housing are blanket guides that aid in steering of the blanket installation.

Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the telescoping lock can be a pin, spring plunger, detent button, etc.; the blanket guide can be many different sizes; the telescoping tubes can be many different dimensions and made of different materials; the installer can be pulled by a single user, two users or by a machine hook up, etc.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the example given. 

1. A method for placing an erosion blanket on a surface with manual tool device comprising: supporting a roll of the erosion blanket for rotation, manually pulling the device by human power; and guiding the roll such that the erosion blanket unwinds upon an intended surface path.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of supporting includes supporting the roll by tapered blanket end prongs that pierce said blanket on each end generally at a center point.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of guiding includes tool device guiding the roll along the path at two spaced locations by one or two humans.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said prongs are supported for rotation by bearings.
 5. The method of claim 2 wherein said prongs are attached to telescoping tubes with telescoping lock to retain said blanket while unwinding along the intended path.
 6. The method of claim 3 wherein said tool is less than 20 pounds, appropriate to be pulled by a human or humans with a handle or handles.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein said tubes are comprised of a structural material of plastic or metal and are made of different lengths.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein said lock is comprised of a pin, spring plunger, or detent button.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein said handle or handles are made of plastic, metal, or nylon fabric and are attached to said tool by a retainer comprising one of rope, chain, cable, or strap.
 10. A device for placing an erosion blanket on a surface comprising: a set of telescoping tubes for blanket loading and unloading; a telescope lock to retain the erosion blanket while unrolling; a set of blanket end prongs for engaging and supporting an erosion blanket; at least one handle for pulling the blanket by human power such that the erosion blanket unwinds and lies along an intended path.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said prongs are guided by bearings to facilitate smooth rotation through out unwinding of said blanket.
 12. The device of claim 10 wherein said prongs pierce said blanket at each end at the center point.
 13. The device of claim 10 wherein said device is less than 20 pounds, appropriate to be pulled along a path by one or two humans.
 14. The device of claim 10 wherein said tubes are made of plastic or metal.
 15. The device of claim 10 wherein said lock is comprised of a pin, spring plunger, or detent button.
 16. The device of claim 10 wherein said handle or handles are made of plastic, metal, nylon fabric, and attached to the device by rope, chain, cable, or strap.
 17. The device of claim 10 wherein said prongs are connected to said tubes with said lock to retain said blanket on said prongs while unwinding along intended path.
 18. The device of claim 17 further including blanket guides that keep said blanket centered inside the support arms.
 19. The device of claim 17 wherein said prongs are threaded and tapered at the end. 